Sparrowwood - Part One

Part 0 - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

It had been 13 days since Marlin first left the halls of Sparrowwood Library. Many books containing knowledge of powerful Astral Magic, and Relics of ancient Spiral History had been destroyed in the fire, and the Spiral had been left in the greatest of danger.


Marlin glides through the skies of Sparrowwood, riding on a huge black Drake. He leaps through the stained window of a huge library tower, and shards of sparkling glass tumble to the ground below. Marlin stands before an obsidian chest. He reaches to break the ancient lock when suddenly Merlistaire appears, guarding the chest from Marlin's icy claws.

"Marlin. I see you have returned."

"Merlistaire we meet again! You have grown foolish in your age, do you really believe you can stop me? I am here for the relic, and if you stand in my way I will simply throw you aside with ease!"

"How could you betray me Marlin? How could you betray the whole of Sparrowwood? Knowledge is greater than power a thousand-fold. It is you who is foolish, to believe that you can dominate the Spiral with darkness."

"See? Once again speaking only foolishness. I shall destroy You and all of Sparrowwood! Now hand over the Scribus Scepter, I require it for the next step to my victory.. So why not just give it to me now to avoid any trouble."

"This is madness Marlin. Have you gone mad with power? Not even the greatest of wizards have been able to contain its power! Not to mention retrieve it from it's Guardian! Besides, how do you plan to dominate the spiral all of a sudden! There are forces much greater than you willing to protect it!"

"Pfft. Like who?! That wimp of a tree Bertlebye? Move aside Merlistaire! You do not understand the depth of this Spiral. It spans through all of time and space, connecting everyone and everything. I shall gain control of the Spiral's power, but to do so I require the Scepter! So give it to me!"

Merlistaire steps gracefully out of the way.

"As you wish Marlin... just don't come crying back to me when you get burned."

Marlin approaches the obsidian chest.
He waves his hand and utters some words, and the chest shakes as if trying to open up, and sparks fly from the lock.

"Merlistaire! What did you do!!"

"Maybe, you are simply not worthy to open the chest Marlin. You have become infected with too much darkness..."

"NO! The Spiral WILL be MINE!"

Marlin throws his staff into the obsidian chest, piercing a magical barrier, and smashing the chest to pieces. A huge blast of magical light illuminates the tower, and Marlin cowers backwards, shielding his eyes from the light. A luminous wraith rises from the wreckage.

"MARLIN OF SPARROWWOOD SPIRAL LOST
AFTER SUMMONING ME YOU MUST PAY THE COST
YOU SEEK THE POWER OF THE SCRIBES
POWER TO WRITE ALL DEATHS AND LIVES
BUT THIS CURSE THAT YOU DESIRE
WILL SCORN YOU ALL WITH ICE AND FIRE"

The wraith raises both its hands, and sigils of Fire and Ice levitate in its palms.
Marlin grips his staff... And the duel begins...